Rehmannia, Sea Solomon's Seal and Ophiopogon Soup (Sheng Di Hai Yu Zhu Mai Dong Tang)

Why people make this soup

Thyroid imbalance is increasingly common, and it tends to show up in two opposite directions. An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) can cause symptoms like a racing heart, trembling hands, bulging or irritated eyes, throat tightness, and heat intolerance. An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) tends toward fatigue, puffiness, cold limbs, poor memory, and low vitality. While these conditions need proper medical management, Chinese food therapy has long offered a gentle complementary approach built around nourishing yin and clearing excess heat — a pattern that underlies both presentations, just to different degrees.

This soup is made from four classical yin-nourishing ingredients and is unusually versatile: Nourilo notes it is suitable whether the thyroid is overactive or underactive, because it addresses the underlying yin-deficiency pattern rather than pushing the balance in one particular direction.

Method

1. Rinse all ingredients thoroughly.
2. Place everything in a pot with 1.5 L of water.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer for about 1 hour until the liquid reduces to 600 ml.
4. Drink in two portions throughout the day. Have 2 times per week.

Nourilo’s Tips

This soup is gentle and nourishing. For those with a cold constitution, add 2–3 slices of ginger and cook with chicken pieces instead — this warms the preparation without negating its yin-nourishing benefits. Eat the soup ingredients as well as drinking the liquid. If your digestion is sensitive and you notice looser stools or bloating after taking this, add poria mushroom and white atractylodes to the formula next time — these will help anchor the dampness.

Separately, for thyroid nodules or lumps that are not requiring surgery, Nourilo often mentions a complementary formula: summer spike grass (xia ku cao), Zhejiang fritillary bulb (zhe bei mu), and golden monk fruit (jin luo han guo) — these are considered useful for softening and dispersing accumulations in traditional practice. Nourilo strongly recommends anyone with a diagnosed thyroid condition to also consult a qualified TCM practitioner alongside their medical doctor.